The Betty Codona Trophy cut the ribbon for the new Super League Basketball season over the weekend, and history was made in its very first game.
Endeavour Ipswich BC became the first team from the Women’s National Basketball League to win a game in the Trophy with a 104-80 success over the holders, London Lions.
Rounding off the weekend, there were also wins for Caledonia Gladiators, who had to fight for a 69-53 over Newcastle Eagles, and Oaklands Wolves overcame Leicester Riders 76-59 to round off the first weekend of action.
ENDEAVOUR IPSWICH BC 104-80 LONDON LIONS
Women’s National Basketball League side Ipswich not only became the first team from the lower division to win a game in the Betty Codona Trophy but joined the Caledonia Gladiators as the only domestic teams to beat the London Lions since the 2021-22 season.
After a tightly contested first period, Ipswich put on the burners in the second quarter, going on an early 10-0 run that turned the tide in the favour and put them ultimately out of sight of the Lions, who always played catch up.
Harriet Welham paced the hosts with a game-high 31 points and seven rebounds, supported by 19 from Maddy Wormald. In front of their vocal home support at Copleston, Ipswich shot an impressive 50% from the floor, holding the Lions to just 38%.
New signing Chinwe Iwunze led London with 19 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
MVP: Harriet Welham (Endeavour Ipswich BC)
CALEDONIA GLADIATORS 69-53 NEWCASTLE EAGLES
Caledonia Gladiators were made to work hard for their opening victory of the season but started to find their rhythm late in the second quarter before eventually pulling away.
As the second half wore on, the Gladiators’ lead peaked at 25 points, with Delaynie Bryne one rebound shy of a double-double, posting 15 points and nine boards to steer Caledonia.
The hosts will also take comfort in the fact that their bench played a pivotal role in the victory, as they scored 36 points compared to Newcastle’s eight.
Tierra Hodges had a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Eagles.
MVP: Delaynie Bryne (Caledonia Gladiators)
OAKLANDS WOLVES 76-69 LEICESTER RIDERS
A strong first period, followed by a third-quarter ambush from the Oaklands Wolves, was the catalyst for their impressive victory over the Leicester Riders.
Leading by as many as 11 points in the first ten minutes, the Wolves became complacent in the second as the Riders hit back and even tied the game at 32-32 thanks to a drive from Katie Januszewska with 2:53 left in the half.
However, Oaklands would not be denied. An 8-0 run early in the third gave them a 47-36 cushion, and the Wolves never looked back.
Danielle McCray was in sublime form, putting up a game-high 22 points, pulling down seven rebounds, and dishing out four assists for Oaklands. Januszewska led Leicester with 17.
MVP: Danielle McCray (Oaklands Wolves)